SARATOGA SPRINGS — Selma Zelikofsky Berkowitz, loving wife and mother, died Saturday, October 12. She was born on February 5, 1925, the daughter of the late Charles and Freda (Levine) Zelikofsky.
She graduated from Saratoga High School and attended Ryder College in New Jersey where she majored in business.
During World War II, she worked at Espey Manufacturing and Electronics Corp., which built military equipment for the war effort. In 1947, she married Jack Berkowitz, her loving husband of 66 years. Together, they opened The Variety Store on Broadway in the 50s, which eventually became Mr. Jacks for Him and Her, a popular clothing store and landmark for men and women's clothier on Broadway, downtown Saratoga Springs, for 35 years. A fashion-lover herself, with a strength as a stylist and saleswoman, she helped dress generations of Saratogians.
She was also an avid swimmer, skier, golfer, and tennis player.
Selma was a member of Saratoga's Congregation Shaara Tfille, Sisterhood and Hadassah. She was a former member of the New York State Retail Merchants Association and was a longtime member of Saratoga Golf and Polo Club. In her later years, she was a volunteer with the Saratoga Hospital Guild.
Selma was a lover of life and beauty. She enjoyed meeting new people, attending parties, laughing, playing sports and singing. She died with her family and friends by her side.
She will be missed by her husband Jack; sister Barbara (Frank) Rapp; brother Gerald (Christa) Selig; along with her children Judith (Harold) Zassenhaus and Sande (Robert) Weiskopf. She is survived by her grandchildren Eric Zassenhaus and Liza (David) Lieberman, Judd Weiskopf and Kipp (Elizabeth) Weiskopf; her two great-grandchildren, Sydney and Jonah Lieberman; her four nieces, Susan (Robert) Edwards, Joanne (Jim) Dwornik, Lauren Tobin, Carrie (David) Beecher and her devoted companions Debbie Johnson, Rianna Whatley and Rose Travis.
Funeral services and Interment will be held on Tuesday, October 15 at 3 p.m., at Cogregation Shaara Tfille and Cemetery, 84 Weibel Ave., Saratoga Springs with Rabbi Kenneth Blatt Presiding. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Selma's name to Saratoga Hospital Foundation or Saratoga Hospice.
Online condolences can be made at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com
